The FTSE 100 and 250 closed in the red on Friday, as this week's US interest rate cut was offset by a disappointing consumer confidence reading.The FTSE 100 index closed down 98.73 points, or 1.2%, at 8,229.99. The FTSE 250 ended down 330.87 points, or 1.6%, at 20,831.84, and the AIM All-Share closed down 0.3%, or 2.46 points, at 745.62.The Cboe UK 100 ended down 1.2% at 823.77, the Cboe UK 250 cl

Affordable computer outfit Raspberry Pi (RPI) made an excellent debut on the UK stock market back in June but excitement around the stock has fizzled out.While the shares are still up materially on their 280p issue price, they are some way below their 500p high. The company and its shareholders will hope it can revive enthusiasm for the story when it unveils its results for the six months to 30 Ju

On 1 August the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee made a 5-4 decision to kickstart its rate-cutting cycle. A 25 basis point reduction in the base rate to 5% marking The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street's first cut since March 2020.This means cash savings rates are heading in one direction, down. And the lower-than-expected jump in UK inflation reported on 14 August only boosted market exp

Stocks in London retreated on Friday, though ended the week as a whole higher, while gold notched a new record and sterling gained strength.The FTSE 100 index closed down 35.94 points, 0.4%, at 8,311.41. The FTSE 250 ended down 45.25 points, 0.2%, at 21,048.91, and the AIM All-Share closed down 0.52 of a point, 0.1%, at 774.27.For the week, the FTSE 100 ended 1.8% higher, the FTSE 250 gained 2.1%

First half EBITDA up 24%£300 million buyback initiated2024 earnings seen 'top end'Drax (DRX) shares powered up 12.5% to a 52-week high of 636p after the renewable energy generator delivered strong first-half results, issued a positive full-year outlook and said it would shortly begin a £300 million share buyback.Investors were wowed by Drax's smoking-hot results for the half to 30 June, which sh

Stocks in Europe were in positive territory early Monday afternoon, as investors weighed up political developments in the UK, France and the US.The UK is entering its first full week with a Labour government, after winning Thursday's general election. Across the channel, France is contending with uncertainty and the prospect of a hung parliament.The FTSE 100 index was up 14.85 points, 0.2%, at 8,2

Stocks fell at midday in London on Friday after new data showed that growth in service sector activity was decelerating.The FTSE 100 index traded 63.83 points lower, 0.8%, at 8,209.15. The FTSE 250 was down 104.78 points, 0.5%, at 20,393.94, although the AIM All-Share was up 0.40 of a point, 0.1%, at 772.78.The Cboe UK 100 fell 0.7% to 817.26, the Cboe UK 250 declined 0.5% at 17,755.99, and the Cb

Stocks in London reacted positively on Thursday, after news of the European Central Bank's first interest rate cut in five years.The FTSE 100 index closed up 38.39 points, 0.5%, at 8,285.34. The FTSE 250 ended up 42.47 points, 0.2%, at 20,715.88, and the AIM All-Share closed down 2.43 points, 0.3%, at 796.54.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.4% at 825.85, the Cboe UK 250 closed down 0.1% at 18,135.48, an

DANAHER FAST FACTSTicker: DHR:NYSEShare price: $253Market cap: £141.5 billionUS biotechnology, life sciences and diagnostics company Danaher (DHR:NYSE) is one of the most successful companies to list on the New York Stock Exchange that few people outside the US have heard of.This feature peeks under the bonnet to see how the company has achieved its success and explores its prospects.Steven and M

London equities finished in the green on Monday, outpacing its European peers, ahead of the Federal Reserve?s eagerly awaited interest rate decision on Wednesday.The FTSE 100 index closed up 7.20 points, 0.1%, at 8,147.03. The FTSE 250 ended up 260.63 points, 1.3%, at 20,084.79, and the AIM All-Share closed up 8.05 points, 1.1%, at 763.33.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.1% at 814.08, the Cboe UK 250 cl

With shares in UK high-street bellwether Next (NXT) trading close to all-time highs above £90 despite the recent pull-back in markets, there is a fair bit riding on its upcoming first-quarter trading update (1 May).When it posted full-year results in late March, the firm said it had been ?a long time since we started a year in a more positive frame of mind? after a better-than-expected performanc

Equities in Europe were in a muted mood Tuesday afternoon, while stocks in New York were called to open lower, with key political, fiscal and monetary policy events on the docket in the days to come.Wednesday?s UK budget, the last before the next general election, could see some tax cuts announced. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks in front of lawmakers that day too. Sticking with monetar

Shares jump 42% on positive trial resultsCancer prediction 81% compared with 60% for standard careDiagnosing lung cancer early is critical for patientsShares in LungLife AI (LLAI:AIM), the developer of clinical diagnostic solutions for the early detection of cancer, surged 42% to 65.2p after the company revealed the successful validation of its LungLB test for intermediate lung nodules.The study d

The FTSE 100 was essentially steady on Wednesday at midday, as investors held fire before the UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt?s Autumn Statement, while the FTSE 250 was steadily up.The FTSE 100 index was down 2.54 points at 7,479.93. The FTSE 250 was up 139.05 points, 0.8%, at 18,486.68, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.00 point, 0.1%, at 717.31.The Cboe UK 100 was up slightly at 746.73, the Cboe UK 250 w

Discerning investors who are looking for well-managed, well-capitalised companies with a sustainable edge have been finding their way to the Stewart Investors Worldwide Sustainability Fund (B7W3061) steadily over the past decade.A £10,000 investment in the fund 10 years ago would be worth £22,372 today, although at the peak towards the end of 2021 it would have been worth just over £28,000 acco

Renewable energy supplier Drax (DRX) came under pressure on 15 September following news that the National Audit Office will issue a report on the Government's biomass strategy, including analysis of how support had been funded and implemented.Drax argues burning wood pellets is a sustainable source of renewable energy, but not everyone agrees. Critics highlight subsidies Drax received for burning

Interest rates on cash savings accounts have risen the past couple of years, as the Bank of England's base rate has been hiked. But some people want their cash to be put to good causes, while also earning them a return on their money.The 'green' savings market has emerged in recent years, with money saved put towards environmentally friendly projects. However, with all the options you're not going

Full-year results to be published on 26 September from consumer goods firm PZ Cussons (PZC) come hot on the heels of the company's announcement that it plans to take full control of its Nigerian business.This decision may come under some scrutiny as the impact of the devaluation of the Nigerian naira could well mar the upcoming numbers. Volatility in the currency and the country itself has been a

The FTSE 100 outperformed European peers heading into Wednesday afternoon, with the interest rate sensitive house building sector shining after investors reeled in the Bank of England expectations after a cooler-than-expected UK inflation reading.A hike on Thursday was largely seen as a foregone conclusion prior to the data, but the surprising slowdown in UK inflation means the decision is on some

Retailer Next (NXT) has managed to eke out an impressive 20% share price gain in 2023 despite all the pressures on household budgets as it has continued to deliver sector-leading performance.Investors will be hoping for more of the same when it posts first-half results on 21 September. These numbers will have wider resonance as Next is seen as a bellwether for the retail sector. Unlike some of its